Steering-column switch unit for a motor vehicle, and motor vehicle having a steering-column switch unit

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a steering-column switch unit ( 1 ) for a motor vehicle, having a driver part ( 7 ) to which an actuating lever ( 2 ) can be connected and which is mounted so as to be pivotable about a pivot axis ( 11 ) between an initial position and an actuated position, wherein the driver part ( 7 ) has an arm ( 20 ) which extends perpendicular to the pivot axis ( 11 ), in particular in the direction of a steering spindle, and which projects from a main body ( 16 ) of the driver part ( 7 ), on which arm there is arranged an electrical contact element ( 8 ) which, in the actuated position, can be electrically coupled to a further contact element, and having a resetting device ( 6 ) with a triggering element ( 10 ) which is designed for resetting the driver part ( 7 ), and thus the actuating lever ( 2 ), from the actuated position into the initial position, wherein the triggering element ( 10 ) is arranged on a side of the arm ( 20 ) situated opposite the electrical contact element ( 8 ).

The invention relates to a steering-column switch unit for a motorvehicle, having a driver part to which an actuating lever—which can beactuated by the vehicle driver—can be connected and which is mounted soas to be pivotable about a pivot axis between an initial position and anactuated position, wherein the driver part has an arm which extendsperpendicular to the pivot axis, in particular in the direction of asteering spindle, and which projects from a main body of the driverpart, on which arm there is arranged an electrical contact elementwhich, in the actuated position, can be electrically coupled to afurther contact element, which is attached for example to a printedcircuit board. The steering-column switch unit also comprises aresetting device with a triggering element which is designed forautomatically resetting the driver part, and thus the actuating lever,from the actuated position into the initial position. The invention alsorelates to a motor vehicle.

Resetting devices for steering-column switches—so-called turn indicatorresetting means—already fall within the prior art. For example, documentU.S. Pat. No. 6,186,022 B1 describes a resetting device of said typewhich has a triggering element in the form of a tongue or a fingerwhich, as the steering wheel rotates, is driven along and then effectsthe resetting of the steering-column switch or of the actuating leverinto its initial position. Here, said triggering element is on the onehand mounted so as to be pivotable; on the other hand, said triggeringelement is also mounted so as to be displaceable, specifically in asliding direction, in which the triggering element is also arrangedunder the preload of a spring element. When the triggering element isdriven along as the steering wheel rotates, the triggering elementpushes the steering-column switch back into its initial position.

A resetting device for a steering-column switch is also known fromdocument DE 694 14 867 T2.

A generic resetting device is also disclosed in DE 44 18 328 A1. Saidresetting device additionally has a switch override protection meanswhich, in a switch override situation—when the vehicle driver exerts aforce on the steering-column switch as the steering wheel rotates backtoward a centre position—permits a movement of the triggering elementrelative to the actuating lever and thus prevents destruction of thetriggering element. Said switch override protection means generallycomprises a switch override spring which deflects under the action of acertain force and thus prevents destruction of the resetting unit.

It is considered to be a disadvantage of the prior art that, owing to anarrangement of the resetting device—and in particular the triggeringelement—in a switch cover, two separate or multiple separate printedcircuit boards are required for the electronic components. Specifically,the electrical contact element of the switch must be arranged spatiallyseparate from a control unit on a separate printed circuit board.

It is an object of the invention to specify a solution with which, inthe case of a steering-column switch unit of the type mentioned in theintroduction, the available structural space can be saved, and inparticular the use of separate printed circuit boards can be dispensedwith.

Said object is achieved according to the invention by means of asteering-column switch unit and by means of a motor vehicle having thefeatures of the respective independent patent claims. Advantageousembodiments of the invention are defined in the dependent patent claims,the description and the figures.

A steering-column switch unit according to the invention for a motorvehicle comprises a driver part to which an actuating lever can beconnected and which is mounted so as to be pivotable about a pivot axisbetween an initial position and an actuated position, specifically inparticular relative to a steering column part in which the steeringspindle is rotatably mounted. The driver part has an arm which extendsperpendicular to the pivot axis and which points in particular in thedirection of a steering spindle and which projects from a main body ofthe driver part, on which arm there is arranged an electrical contactelement which, in the actuated position, can be electrically coupled toa further contact element. The steering-column switch unit furthermorehas a resetting device with a triggering element which is designed forresetting the driver part, and thus the actuating lever, from theactuated position into the initial position. It is provided according tothe invention that the triggering element is arranged on a side of thearm situated opposite the electrical contact element.

In other words, a core concept of the invention thus consists in thatthe electrical contact element is arranged on one side of the arm,whereas the resetting device, that is to say the triggering element ofthe resetting device, is arranged on the other side. Dual functionalityof the arm of the driver part is thus realized, such that one and thesame arm, at one side, bears the electrical contact element and, at theother side, also serves for example for guiding the triggering elementof the resetting device. It is thus the case that the at least onecontact element is arranged on one side, and the triggering element ispreferably also arranged on the other side, of a common arm. By means ofsuch a configuration of the driver part, use can be made of a commonprinted circuit board on which both the further contact element—that isto say a switch—and also the further electronic components, such as forexample a control unit and the like, are arranged. There is no need touse additional printed circuit boards. This has the advantage inparticular that the available structural space can be saved, andfurthermore, the number of components can be reduced to a minimum, suchthat a robust and reliable steering-column switch unit can be realized.

Is preferable for a guide, in particular a slotted guide, for a peg ofsaid triggering element to be formed on the arm, along which guide thepeg can move during the movement of the actuating lever between theinitial position and the actuated position. It is thus the case that oneand the same arm performs two different functions: firstly the functionof bearing the electrical contact element, and secondly also thefunction of guiding the resetting device. The use of further arms, withthe associated disadvantages, is thus made superfluous.

The guide, in particular the slotted guide, is preferably formed on aside of the arm situated opposite the electrical contact element orfacing away from the contact element. On that side of the contactelement there is thus also adequate structural space available forfurther contact elements or for a printed circuit board.

The resetting device is preferably arranged on, or integrated into, adetent part which has a detent structure for the engagement of theactuating lever with detent action when said actuating lever is in itsactuated position. In this way, the steering-column switch unit isparticularly compact.

It has proven to be particularly advantageous for the steering-columnswitch unit to have a printed circuit board on which the further contactelement is arranged. In this embodiment, the arm can be arranged betweenthe printed circuit board at one side and the triggering element at theother side. In particular, in this case, the arm extends substantiallyparallel to the printed circuit board and in particular also parallel tothe triggering element of the resetting device, such that overall, asandwich-type structure is created in which the arm of the driver partis arranged in an intermediate space between the printed circuit boardat one side and the resetting device or the triggering element at theother side, and bridges the gap between the printed circuit board andthe resetting device. Such an arrangement has the advantage that theprinted circuit board can also wear electronic components for othersteering-column switches, such that the printed circuit board is acommon printed circuit board for multiple steering-column switches.

The arm thus projects from the main body of the driver part,specifically in particular in the direction of the steering spindle. Thearm thus points in the direction of the steering spindle, that is to sayin a direction perpendicular to the pivot axis of the driver part. Here,the arm preferably projects from a region of the main body which formsan outer edge of the main body as viewed along the pivot axis. Here, itis provided in particular that the arm terminates flush with the mainbody. The arm is in particular also of the plate-shaped form or in theform of a flat element.

As already stated, the resetting device has a triggering element bymeans of which the driver part can be moved from the actuated positioninto the initial position and which is mounted on an intermediate pieceso as to be pivotable about a pivot axis between a rest position and atriggering position in which the driver part can be moved into theinitial position. The triggering element may furthermore be mounted onthe intermediate piece so as to be displaceable in a sliding directionperpendicular to the pivot axis, and a spring element may be providedwhich is designed to generate a spring force which acts parallel to thesliding direction and with which the triggering element is arrangedunder preload on the intermediate piece. In particular, the triggeringelement extends perpendicular to the steering spindle and can be drivenalong as the steering wheel rotates, such that as the steering wheelrotates, the triggering element is pivoted and thus pushes the driverpart from the actuated position into the initial position. A resettingmovement of the driver part is thus possible in a technically simple andparticularly reliable manner.

The intermediate piece preferably has a guide surface which is formedperpendicularly to the pivot axis and on which the triggering element ismounted or supported. Here, means may be provided which press thetriggering element against the guide surface in a direction parallel tothe pivot axis. The triggering element can thus be arranged so as tobear against a guide surface of the intermediate piece, which guidesurface is formed perpendicularly to the pivot axis of the triggeringelement, wherein pressing means may be provided by which the triggeringelement is pressed against the guide surface—that is to say in thedirection parallel to the pivot axis. It is thus made possible for thetriggering element to be arranged on the intermediate piece without playin the direction of the pivot axis. Specifically, it has been foundthat, with such an arrangement, no rattling noises are generated duringthe resetting of the actuating lever. It is achieved in this way that nodisturbing noises are perceptible to the vehicle driver, whereby, inturn, the comfort of the vehicle driver when driving the motor vehicleis improved.

The stated means may be designed such that a spring force acts on thetriggering element toward the guide surface, such that the spring forcepresses or preloads the triggering element against the guide surface.Said spring force may in particular be the spring force of the statedspring element, which has a force component in the direction parallel tothe pivot axis of the triggering element and thus presses the triggeringelement against the guide surface. By means of a spring force, it ispossible for tolerances to be compensated, such that it is made possiblefor the triggering element to be arranged or mounted on the intermediatepiece without play at all times.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is provided that a slideelement is mounted on the intermediate piece so as to be displaceable inthe sliding direction, which slide element is supported at one side on awall of the intermediate piece via the spring element and at the otherside on the triggering element, such that the spring force of the springelement is exerted on the triggering element via the slide element, andthus the triggering element is arranged on the intermediate piece underpreload in the sliding direction. By means of a slide element of saidtype, it is firstly possible for the preload of the triggering elementin the sliding direction to be realized without a great deal of outlayand in a compact manner; secondly, it is also possible in this way forthe triggering element to be pressed against the guide surface in aneffective manner.

The slide element and/or the spring element are/is preferably aconstituent part of the above-stated means by which the triggeringelement is pressed against the guide surface.

It is particularly preferable for the slide element to have a projectionwhich projects perpendicular to the pivot axis and in the direction ofthe triggering element and which bears at least in regions against aside of the triggering element facing away from the guide surface andwhich presses the triggering element against the guide surface in thedirection parallel to the pivot axis. By means of a projection of saidtype, it is possible for a force component of the spring element to begenerated in the direction parallel to the pivot axis, such that the useof an additional spring element, with the associated disadvantages withregard to costs and structural space, is eliminated. The spring force ofthe spring element that is provided in any case can, by means of aprojection of said type, be split into two force components,specifically a force component in the sliding direction and a forcecomponent in the direction parallel to the pivot axis.

It has proven to be advantageous here for the projection to have asupporting bevel on which the triggering element is supported. It isspecifically then possible, without great outlay, to achieve that aforce component of the spring element, which extends in the slidingdirection, is generated in the direction parallel to the pivot axis andthus perpendicular to the sliding direction. Furthermore, the supportingbevel makes it possible for the respective face sides, which face oneanother, of the slide element on the one hand and of the triggeringelement on the other hand to be arranged with a small spacing to oneanother such that the spring force is transmitted to the triggeringelement via the supporting bevel—in particular exclusively via thesupporting bevel. Said spring force then—as already stated—has a forcecomponent in the sliding direction and a force component perpendicularthereto, by means of which the triggering element is pressed against theguide surface. In particular, the supporting bevel runs at an angle of30° to 60° with respect to the sliding direction or the pivot axis.

The slide element may extend through a passage opening that is formed inthe intermediate piece, and the slide element may be mounted in adisplaceable manner on a further guide surface of the intermediatepiece, which further guide surface is formed on a side of theintermediate piece situated opposite the guide surface for thetriggering element. It can be achieved in this way that the triggeringelement is, in effect, clamped between its guide surface at one side andthe above-mentioned projection of the slide element at the other side,while the slide element engages behind the further guide surface throughthe passage opening of the intermediate piece. A stable andslippage-free arrangement of the slide element and of the triggeringelement on the intermediate piece is thus ensured.

The slide element and the triggering element preferably have respectiveface sides facing toward one another. One of the face sides,specifically in particular that of the slide element, preferably has aconvex curvature, whereas the other face side preferably has a concavecurvature. It may be provided here that the radius of the convexcurvature is greater than or equal to the radius of the concavecurvature. It can thus be achieved that the clacking noises during theresetting movement of the actuating lever into its initial position arereduced to a minimum. Specifically, it is possible in this way for thetwo face sides, which are preferably kept spaced apart to a small extentowing to the supporting bevel, to be prevented from coming into contactwith one another, and generating a noise, during the resetting movementof the actuating lever.

In one embodiment, the triggering element has a tongue element which isof elongate form and which extends perpendicular to the pivot axis, inparticular in the sliding direction, which tongue element is drivenalong during the steering return movement when exiting a bend, or duringthe rotation of the steering wheel, and moves the actuating lever of thesteering-column switch into the initial position. A bearing part mayproject from the tongue element parallel to the pivot axis, via whichbearing part the pivot axis runs and by means of which bearing part thetriggering element is mounted on the intermediate piece. Said bearingpart may be that which bears against the guide surface of theintermediate piece and which is thus pivotably mounted on theintermediate piece. Said bearing part is in particular formed in onepiece with the tongue element. By means of such a design of thetriggering element, it is possible to achieve a spatial separationbetween the tongue element on the one hand and the intermediate piece orthe bearing part on the other hand, such that the intermediate pieceitself may even be arranged with an arbitrary spacing to the tongueelement, wherein this does not impair the correct functioning of theresetting device.

The guide surface for the triggering element is preferably formed on aside of the intermediate piece which faces away from the tongue element,and the intermediate piece preferably has a passage opening throughwhich the bearing part extends and engages behind the guide surface. Itis thus made possible for the triggering element to be arranged in astable and rattle-free and/or play-free manner in the direction parallelto the pivot axis of the triggering element.

The steering-column switch unit preferably has a switch overrideprotection unit with at least one switch override spring which, in aswitch override situation, permits a movement of the intermediate piecerelative to the actuating lever. A switch override protection unit ofsaid type protects the resetting device, specifically in particular thetriggering element, against damage.

It has proven to be particularly advantageous for the at least oneswitch override spring and the spring element to be arranged adjacent toone another in a direction perpendicular to the sliding direction. Thismeans in particular that the switch override spring and the springelement are arranged at the same height such that a projection of theswitch override spring in a direction perpendicular to its spring axisor perpendicular to the sliding direction exists on the spring element.In particular, the switch override spring and the spring element arearranged parallel and adjacent to one another. By contrast to the priorart—in which the spring element and the switch override spring are forexample arranged in series or in an in-line configuration—thisembodiment serves to realize a particularly short and compactarrangement of the two resilient elements, which offers advantages inparticular with regard to tolerance compensation. The switch overridespring and the spring element may in particular be arranged relative toone another such that at least a predominant part of the length of thespring element—in particular the entire spring element—overlaps theswitch override spring in a direction perpendicular to the spring axis.

The switch override protection unit may be arranged on a detent partwhich has a detent structure for the engagement of the actuating leverwith detent action when said actuating lever is in the actuatedposition. A particularly compact arrangement is created as a result ofthe integration of the switch override protection unit into the detentpart.

A motor vehicle according to the invention has a steering-column switchunit according to the invention. The preferred embodiments discussedwith regard to the steering-column switch unit according to theinvention, and the advantages thereof, apply correspondingly to themotor vehicle according to the invention.

Further features of the invention will emerge from the claims, from thefigures and from the description of the figures. All of the features andcombinations of features mentioned above in the description, and thefeatures and combinations of features mentioned below in the descriptionof figures and/or shown on their own in the figures, can be used notonly in the respectively specified combination but also in othercombinations or individually.

The invention will now be explained in more detail on the basis of apreferred exemplary embodiment and also with reference to the appendeddrawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows, in a schematic and perspective illustration, asteering-column switch unit according to one embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 2 shows, in a schematic and perspective illustration, an enlargedview of the steering-column switch unit as per FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows, in a schematic and perspective illustration, thesteering-column switch unit with a printed circuit board;

FIG. 4 shows, in a schematic illustration, a side view of thesteering-column switch unit;

FIG. 5 shows, in a schematic and perspective illustration, individualcomponents of a resetting device according to one embodiment of theinvention;

FIGS. 6 to 8 show different views of the resetting device;

FIGS. 9 and 10 show different embodiments of the resetting device;

FIG. 11 shows, in a schematic and perspective illustration, theresetting device with a driver part which has an arm projecting from amain body;

FIG. 12 shows, in a schematic and perspective illustration, theresetting device, wherein a triggering element is arranged on the driverpart;

FIG. 13 shows, in a schematic and perspective illustration, a resettingdevice according to one embodiment of the invention, with individualcomponents being illustrated in more detail;

FIGS. 14 to 19 show different views of the resetting device; and

FIGS. 20 a to c each show a plan view of the steering-column switchunit, with a resetting movement of the driver part and thus of anactuating lever being explained in more detail.

FIG. 1 shows, in a schematic and perspective illustration, asteering-column switch unit 1 which can be installed in a motor vehicle.The steering-column switch unit 1 has, in this case, a first and asecond actuating lever 2, 3, wherein, for example, the first actuatinglever 2 serves for the activation of a turn indicator of the motorvehicle. The actuating levers 2, 3 are pivotably mounted on a steeringcolumn part 4 in which there is formed a receptacle 5 for a steeringspindle. The receptacle 5 is of approximately circular cross-sectionalform and constitutes, in effect, a sleeve for the steering spindle. Atleast the first actuating lever 2, which serves for the activation of aturn indicator, is assigned a resetting device 6 by means of which theactuating lever 2 can be moved from its actuated position, in which theturn indicator is activated, into an initial position, in which the turnindicator is deactivated, specifically automatically, solely as a resultof the rotation of the steering wheel (not illustrated). It isself-evident here that two actuated positions are provided, specificallyone for the left-hand turn indicator and one for the right-hand turnindicator.

FIG. 2 shows the resetting device 6 in an enlarged illustration. Theresetting device 6 is assigned a driver part 7 to which electricalcontact elements 8 are attached.

If the actuating lever 2 is moved into its actuated position, theelectrical contact elements 8 make contact with corresponding contactelements arranged on a printed circuit board 9 (see FIG. 3). Here, thecontact elements 8 are arranged on a side of the driver part 7 facingtoward the vehicle driver during the operation of the motor vehicle.

As can also be seen from FIG. 2, the resetting device 6 comprises atriggering element 10 which, as the steering wheel rotates during thesteering return movement when exiting a bend, is driven along by anelement connected to the steering spindle, and is thus pivoted. In theprocess, the triggering element 10 pushes the driver part 7 such thatthe actuating lever 2 is moved into the initial position.

Specifically, the driver part 7 is pivotably mounted on the steeringcolumn part 4, specifically so as to be pivotable about a pivot axis 11running parallel to the steering spindle. Furthermore, the actuatinglever 2 is connected to the driver part 7. Here, it may likewise beprovided that a pivoting movement of the actuating lever 2 relative tothe driver part 7 is possible. It is however crucial that, during thepivoting of the actuating lever 2 from the initial position into theactuated position, the driver part is also concomitantly moved orconcomitantly pivoted. The driver part 7 is thus also pivotable betweenthe initial position and the actuated position, specifically about thepivot axis 11.

FIG. 3 illustrates the steering-column switch unit 1 with the printedcircuit board 9, wherein a further actuating lever 12 is likewisevisible. Said actuating lever 12 may for example serve for theactivation of a windscreen wiper and/or of further functions in themotor vehicle.

As can be seen from FIG. 3, the printed circuit board 9 is a printedcircuit board that is common to all of the actuating levers 2, 3, 12,such that no further printed circuit boards need to be used. Electroniccomponents 14, such as for example control units, electrical switchesand the like, are attached to the printed circuit board 9 on the side 13facing away from the driver part 7.

The printed circuit board 9 has a circular passage opening 15 throughwhich the steering spindle extends (not illustrated in FIG. 3). Saidpassage opening 15 is arranged concentrically with respect to thereceptacle 5 for the steering spindle.

FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of the resetting device 6 in greaterdetail. Here, the design of the driver part 7 can be seen particularlyclearly. The driver part 7 has a main body 16 which is a hollow body andthrough which a detent pin 17 of the actuating lever 2 extends. Here,the detent pin 17 extends to a detent part 18 on which there is formed adetent structure for the engagement of the detent pin 17 with detentaction in the actuated position and in the initial position. Said detentstructure is formed on a side of the detent part 18 facing toward theactuating lever 2. The detent pin 17 thus ends at the detent structureand slides along the latter, and can engage into detent depressionsformed in said detent structure.

An arm 20 which is of substantially plate-like form projects from anedge 19 of the main body 16 of the driver part 7, said edge facingtoward the printed circuit board 9, which arm extends in a directionperpendicular to the pivot axis 11 of the driver part 7 and points inthe direction of the steering spindle. The arm 20 is thus a plate-likeelement of relatively flat form which terminates flush with the mainbody 16 or the edge 19 of the main body 16. The electrical contactelements 8 are attached to a side 21 of the arm 20 facing toward theprinted circuit board 9 and away from the triggering element 10, whichelectrical contact elements can make contact with corresponding contactelements of the printed circuit board 9, specifically in the actuatedposition. Specifically, the corresponding contact elements which can beplaced in electrical connection with the contact elements 8 are attachedto that side of the printed circuit board 9 which faces toward the arm20.

By contrast, the electronic components 14 are attached to that side ofthe printed circuit board 9 which faces away from the arm 20.

The triggering element 10 for the resetting of the actuating lever 2 issituated on that side of the arm 20 which is situated opposite thecontact elements 8. Said triggering element 10 is mounted by way of itspeg in a slotted guide of the arm 20, as will be described in moredetail further below.

Also situated on that side of the arm 20 which is situated opposite thecontact elements 8 is the detent part 18, and also an intermediate piece22 that is not illustrated in its entirety in FIG. 4. The triggeringelement 10 is mounted on said intermediate piece 22.

Some components of the resetting device 6 are illustrated in more detailin FIG. 5. As already stated, the detent part 18 has a detent structure23 which is formed on a side 24 of the detent part 18 facing toward theactuating lever 2. Said detent structure 23 may for example comprisedetent openings into which the detent pin 17 of the actuating lever 2engages, specifically in the actuated position and in the initialposition. The resetting device 6 furthermore comprises a slide element25 with a sleeve 26 in which a spring element 27 in the form of a spiralspring can be accommodated. As will be described in more detail furtherbelow, the slide element 25 may be mounted in displaceable fashioneither on the detent part 18 or on the intermediate piece 22,specifically so as to be displaceable in a sliding direction 28 orientedperpendicularly to the pivot axis 11. The triggering element 10 is alsomounted in pivotable and displaceable fashion on the intermediate piece22. Here, the triggering element 10 has a tongue element 29 which is inthe form of a strip and thus of elongate design. The tongue element 29is thus in the form of a short bar, perpendicularly from which thereprojects a bearing part 30 by way of which the triggering element 10 ismounted on the intermediate piece 22. The precise design of thetriggering element 10 will be described in more detail further below.The triggering element 10 also has a peg 31 which projects from thatside of the tongue element 29 which is situated opposite the bearingpart 30, said peg being in alignment with the bearing part 30.

The resetting device 6 furthermore includes a switch override protectionunit 32 which, in the exemplary embodiment, comprises two switchoverride springs 33, 34. The two switch override springs 33, 34 are inthe form of spiral springs. Said switch override springs 33, 34 aresupported at one side on the intermediate piece 22; said switch overridesprings are supported at the other side on the detent part 18 and extendalong the sliding direction 28.

FIGS. 6 to 8 illustrate different views of the detent part 18 with theintermediate piece 22 mounted thereon. In the steering-column switchunit 1, the detent part 18 is a component that is immovable relative tothe steering column part 4, that is to say the detent part 18constitutes, in effect, a positionally fixed element relative to whichthe driver part 7 is pivoted. By contrast, the triggering element 10 ismounted on the intermediate piece 22 and is thus also pivotable relativeto the detent part 18, specifically about a pivot axis 35 runningparallel to the pivot axis 11. Furthermore, the triggering element 10 isalso mounted so as to be displaceable in the sliding direction 28perpendicular to the pivot axis 35, and here, is resiliently preloadedby means of the spring element 27.

The intermediate piece 22 is also movably mounted on the detent part 18,specifically by way of the switch override springs 33, 34. Said relativemovement between the intermediate piece 22 and the detent part 18 ishowever generated only in a switch override situation.

In FIG. 7, the intermediate piece 22 is illustrated without thetriggering element 10, such that the slide element 25 is also visible.Here, the spring element 27 is situated in the sleeve 26 of the slideelement 25 (see FIG. 5). As can be seen from FIGS. 9 a and 9 b, both theslide element 25 and also the triggering element 10 may be mounted onthe intermediate piece 22. It may alternatively be provided that theslide element 25 is mounted on the detent part 18, whereas thetriggering element 10 is mounted on the intermediate piece 22. Such aconfiguration is illustrated in FIGS. 10 a and 10 b. The spring element27 can also be seen in FIG. 10 a. Regardless of the configuration—be itthe arrangement as per FIGS. 9 a and 9 b or the arrangement as per FIGS.10 a and 10 b—the mode of operation of the resetting device 6 is thesame.

As can be seen in particular from FIG. 10 a, it is the case in allembodiments that the detent part 18 has two grooves 36, 37 which are ofelongate form along the sliding direction 28, which grooves are formedon a side of the detent part 18 facing toward the intermediate piece 22.Said grooves 36, 37 serve for accommodating the switch override springs33, 34 and are thus of a shape that is adapted to the shape of thesprings. The grooves 36, 37 are delimited by support elements 38, 39 onwhich the respective switch override springs 33, 34 are supported.

It is provided in all of the embodiments that—as emerges from thefigures—the spring element 27 is arranged at the level of the switchoverride springs 33, 34. Here, the spring element 27 lies parallel tothe switch override springs 33, 34 and also, in the directionperpendicular to the spring axis, adjacent to the switch overridesprings 33, 34. This means that an imaginary line which runsperpendicular to the sliding direction 28 and which intersects thespring element 27 also runs perpendicularly through the switch overridesprings 33, 34. Such an arrangement of the switch override springs 33,34 on both sides of the spring element 27, such that said spring element27 is arranged between the switch override springs 33, 34 and the springaxis of the spring element 27 extends parallel to the axes of the switchoverride springs 33, 34, serves in particular to provide a compactdesign of the resetting device 6, and also has advantages with regard tothe mechanical tolerances.

FIG. 11 shows the driver part 7 in detail, specifically together withthe intermediate piece 22, the triggering element 10 and the slideelement 25. As can be seen from FIG. 11, the main body 16 of the driverpart 7 is in the form of a hollow body which has a cavity 40 which isformed so as to be open all the way through. The detent pin 17 (see FIG.4) extends through the cavity 40. From the main body 16 there projects apeg 41 by means of which the driver part 7 is mounted in pivotablefashion and which defines the pivot axis 11.

On a side 42 of the arm 20, said side 42 being situated opposite theside 21 and the contact elements 8 attached thereto, there is formed aslotted guide 43 which constitutes a guide for the peg 31 of thetriggering element 10. Here, on the side 42 of the arm 20, there isformed a depression 44 which is delimited by a wall 45 which forms theslotted guide 43. The wall 45 and thus the slotted guide 43 are oftriangular form and, in this case, have a first slotted-guide section 46and a second slotted-guide section 47, which converge in pointedfashion. Said slotted-guide sections are linear slotted-guide sections46, 47 which enclose an angle with one another, which angle may forexample lie in a value range from 60° to 120°. Said angle may forexample be 90°.

The peg 31 of the triggering element 10 then bears against the wall 45,said peg being guided along the slotted guide 43 and, in the process,being situated in the depression. When the actuating lever 2 is situatedin the initial position, the peg 31 of the triggering element 10 issituated at a tip 48 of the slotted guide 43. By contrast, when theactuating lever 2 is situated in the actuated position, the peg 31 bearsagainst the other end of the respective slotted-guide section 46, 47,specifically in a manner dependent on the direction in which theactuating lever 2 has been pivoted. Here, the tongue element 29 of thetriggering element 10 slides on a surface 49 of the arm 20, said surface49 being delimited at both sides by the webs 50, 51. At the webs 50 and51, the driver part 7 is pushed by the tongue element 29 of thetriggering element 10 during the resetting movement into the initialposition. The resetting of the driver part 7 is thus performed by virtueof the respective web 50, 51 of said driver part being pushed,specifically by means of the tongue element 29.

FIG. 12 illustrates the driver part 7 together with the triggeringelement 10 arranged thereon and the intermediate piece 22. Here, the peg31 of the triggering element 10 faces toward the arm 20 and slides onthe slotted guide 41. As already stated, the triggering element 10 canbe both pivoted about the pivot axis 35 (see FIG. 6), specifically asper the arrow 52, and also displaced in the sliding direction 28. Thetriggering element 10 is preloaded in the sliding direction 28 by thespring force of the spring element 27.

Referring now to FIGS. 13 to 19, the configuration of the triggeringelement 10 and of the intermediate piece 22, and also of the slideelement 25, will be explained in more detail. Here, FIG. 13 is anillustration of the triggering element 10 and the slide element 25 andthe intermediate piece 22 separate from one another. As already stated,the slide element 25 has an axial sleeve 26 in which the spring element27 is accommodated. The slide element 25 has a projection 53 whichpoints in the sliding direction 28 and which in turn has a bevel 54. Theslide element 25 furthermore has two laterally projecting collars 55, 56by means of which the slide element 25 is mounted.

As already stated, the triggering element 10 has a tongue element 29which is of elongate form and from which a bearing part 30 projectsperpendicularly. A groove 57 is formed in a circumferential direction onan outer circumference of the bearing part 30, which groove, in theexemplary embodiment, has a semi-circular overall form.

The intermediate piece 22 has a passage opening 58. Furthermore, twopegs 59, 60 are formed on the intermediate piece 22, which pegs servefor supporting the above-mentioned switch override springs 33, 34. Saidpegs 59, 60 likewise point in the sliding direction 28.

As can be seen from FIG. 14, the bearing part 30 extends through thepassage opening 58 of the intermediate piece 22, such that the bearingpart 30 engages behind the rear side of the intermediate piece 22. Here,a guide surface 61 is formed on the intermediate piece 22, wherein thebearing part 30 bears against and slides on said guide surface. Thebearing part 30 thus engages behind the guide surface 61, wherein thetongue element 29 of elongate form is situated on the opposite side ofthe intermediate piece 22. Here, an edge of the passage opening 58 ofthe intermediate piece 22 engages into the groove 57 of the bearing part30.

The slide element 25 likewise extends through the common passage opening58 and, at one side, is supported via the spring element 27 on a wall 62of the intermediate piece 22, said wall delimiting the passage opening58, and at the other side, is supported on the bearing part 30. At theother side, the triggering element 10 is—as already stated—supported onthe slotted guide 43 of the driver part 7, see FIG. 11. Here, both theslide element 25 and also the triggering element 10 are mounted so as tobe displaceable in the sliding direction 28 perpendicular to the pivotaxis 11, and are preloaded with the spring force of the spring element27. The slide element 25 thus bears without play against the triggeringelement 10.

The opposite side of the triggering element 10 is illustrated in FIG.15. Here, it is possible to particularly clearly see the peg 31 which ismounted in the slotted guide 43. The triggering element 10 is supportedin the slotted guide 43 by way of the peg 31.

As can be seen from FIG. 16, the intermediate piece 22 has, on a sidesituated opposite the guide surface 61, a further guide surface 63against which the collars 55, 56 of the slide element 25 bear and onwhich the slide element 25 is thus mounted in displaceable fashion.Here, the projection 53 of the slide element 25 is situated on theopposite side of the intermediate piece 22, or on the far side of thepassage opening 58. At one side, the slide element 25 is thus held bymeans of the collars 55, 56 on the guide surface 63; at the other side,the slide element 25 is supported by way of the projection 53 on thebearing part 30 of the triggering element 10, such that the bearing part30 is clamped between the projection 53 and the guide surface.

Referring now to FIG. 17, the bearing part 30 bears against the bevel 54of the projection 53 of the slide element 25. Between the respectiveface sides, which face toward one another, of the slide element 25 onthe one hand and of the bearing part 30 on the other hand, there is thusformed a small air gap, and said face sides are arranged with a smallspacing to one another. The bearing part 30 is in contact only with thebevel 54, such that the bearing part 30 is subjected to a spring force64 which has a force component parallel to the pivot axis 35. Anarrangement is thus made possible which is free from play also in thedirection parallel to the pivot axis 35. The spring force 64 thus actson the triggering element 10 both in the sliding direction 28 and alsoalong the pivot axis 35, such that two different directions of actionare obtained with only a single spring element 27.

FIGS. 18 and 19 illustrate a schematic plan view of the arrangement onceagain, wherein, in FIG. 18, the triggering element 10 is situated in arest position, whereas, in FIG. 19, the triggering element 10 is shownin a triggering position. It is also possible to see respective facesides 65, 66 of the slide element 25 on the one hand and of the bearingpart 30 on the other hand, which face sides face toward one another. Thetwo face sides 65, 66 each have a curvature: In the exemplaryembodiment, the slide element 25 has a convex face side 65, whereas theface side 66 of the bearing part 30 is of concave form and, in effect,projects into the convex face side 65. In one embodiment, it is providedhere that the radius of curvature of the face side 65 of the slideelement 25 is greater than or equal to the radius of curvature of thebearing part 30. It is thus possible for clacking noises during theresetting movement of the actuating lever 2 to be eliminated.

In the triggering position of the triggering element 10 illustrated inFIG. 19, said triggering element 10 presses the driver part 7 againstthe respective web 50, 51, such that the driver part 7 is moved into theinitial position.

Referring now to FIGS. 20 a to 20 c, a triggering process of theactuating lever 2 and of the driver part 7 will be explained in moredetail. In FIG. 20 a, the driver part 7 is situated in the actuatedposition, in which the turn indicator is activated. The vehicle driverthen rotates the steering wheel such that an element 67 connected to thesteering spindle is moved in the direction of rotation of the steeringwheel along an arc, as per the arrow 68. The element 67 then actuatesthe triggering element 10, which is pivoted, specifically about thepivot axis 35, from the rest position illustrated in FIG. 20 a into atriggering position illustrated in FIG. 20 b. In said position, thetriggering element 10 pushes the driver part 7 such that the driver part7 is moved back into the initial position. Here, the peg 31 slides alongthe slotted guide 43, such that the triggering element 10 is alsodisplaced slightly in the sliding direction 28. FIG. 20 c illustratesthe initial position of the driver part 7, with the triggering element10 situated in the rest position again.

1. A steering-column switch unit for a motor vehicle, comprising: adriver part to which an actuating lever is connected and which ismounted so as to be pivotable about a pivot axis between an initialposition and an actuated position, wherein the driver part has an armwhich extends perpendicular to the pivot axis in the direction of asteering spindle, and which projects from a main body of the driverpart, wherein an electrical contact element is arranged on the armwhich, in the actuated position, can be electrically coupled to a secondcontact element, and having a resetting device with a triggering elementwhich is designed for resetting the driver part, and thus the actuatinglever, from the actuated position into the initial position, and whereinthe triggering element is arranged on a side of the arm situatedopposite the electrical contact element.
 2. The steering-column switchunit according to claim 1, wherein a slotted guide, for a peg of thetriggering element is formed on the arm, along which guide the peg canmove during the movement of the actuating lever between the initialposition and the actuated position.
 3. The steering-column switch unitaccording to claim 2, wherein the guide is formed on a side of the armsituated opposite the electrical contact element.
 4. The steering-columnswitch unit according to claim 1, wherein the resetting device isarranged on a detent part which has a detent structure for theengagement of the actuating lever with detent action.
 5. Thesteering-column switch unit according to claim 1, wherein thesteering-column switch unit has a printed circuit board on which thefurther contact element is arranged, and wherein the arm is arrangedbetween the printed circuit board at one side and the triggering elementat the other side.
 6. The steering-column switch unit according to claim1, wherein the triggering element is mounted on an intermediate piece soas to be pivotable about a pivot axis between a rest position and atriggering position in which the driver part is moved into the initialposition, wherein the triggering element is furthermore mounted on theintermediate piece so as to be displaceable in a sliding directionperpendicular to the pivot axis, and wherein a spring element isprovided for generating a spring force which acts parallel to thesliding direction and with which the triggering element is arrangedunder preload on the intermediate piece.
 7. The steering-column switchunit according to claim 6, wherein the intermediate piece has a guidesurface which is formed perpendicularly to the pivot axis and on whichthe triggering element is mounted, and wherein means are provided whichpress the triggering element against the guide surface in a directionparallel to the pivot axis.
 8. The steering-column switch unit accordingto claim 6, wherein the steering-column switch unit has a switchoverride protection unit with a switch override spring which, in aswitch override situation, permits a movement of the intermediate piecerelative to the actuating lever.
 9. The steering-column switch unitaccording to claim 8, wherein the switch override spring and the springelement are arranged adjacent to one another in a directionperpendicular to the sliding direction.
 10. Motor vehicle having asteering-column switch unit as claimed in claim 1.